Computational Physics I module (PH32005)

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Credits

15

Module code

PH32005

Many physical and astrophysical problems need to be solved numerically. Numerical methods provide a way to solve complex problems and allow us to study otherwise inaccessible phenomena.   

You will learn how to implement fundamental numerical techniques by developing code to solve a variety of mathematical, physical, and astrophysical problems. You will gain an appreciation of the limitations and accuracy of numerical solutions. 

Topics include: 

  • Euler’s, Heun’s, and the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method for solving ordinary differential equations. 

  • Finite difference methods for solving ordinary and partial differential equations. 

  • The Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel methods. 

  • Root finding techniques. 

  • Spline interpolation. 

  • Monte-Carlo random walks.